Thinai Pongal , Healthy foxtail millet Pongal Recipe

Foxtail millet is one of the oldest millet to have been recorded since the sangam period. The sangam period in Tamil literature refers to period between 300 BC to 300 AD. I think foxtail millet is the only millet to have featured so predominantly in Tamil literature.

Here is how to make Thinai Pongal
We have used 1 cup of millet and 1/2 cup of split yellow moong dal today. Soak the millet and dal in water for 10 minutes. Wash the mixture 2-3 times to get rid of the fine impurities. Drain the water. Add four cups of water to the mixture. I don’t add the millet and dal directly in the cooker. I place some water in the cooker and place a bowl inside and add the millet, dal and water to the bowl. This way the millet mixture does not scorch in the bottom and also the water will not spew out of the cooker while cooking. Cook in a pressure cooker for 5 whistles (approximately 13-15 minutes on medium flame). Remove from heat and wait for the pressure to settle on its own. Set aside.

Get all the ingredients for tempering ready.
Coarsely grind pepper and cumin with the help of a mortar and pestle. Set aside. Mince a teaspoon of ginger very finely. You will need some green chillies, cashews and curry leaves too.

Tempering
Heat some ghee or oil in a pan. I have used just 1 teaspoon of ghee. Add more ghee for a more rich pongal. Add in the cashew nut. Let it roast for 20 seconds or until it is slowly starting to take a brown hue.

Add in the ginger, curry leaves and green chillies. Add in the cumin-pepper mixture. Roast briefly for 20 seconds.

Add in the cooked millet-dal mixture and salt. Mix everything to combine. Saute briefly for a minute or two. Remove off heat.

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I’m Suguna, a former financial analyst, now a full-time food blogger. Welcome to my space. I share recipes gathered from my friends and family here. I am passionate about South Indian food. I crazy love knives. A sharp knife is a girls best friend. Hope you like the recipes here. Happy Cooking. Read more.....